Week 5: Michigan State

Friday

Sep 30, 2011 at 12:01 AMSep 30, 2011 at 7:30 PM

With both teams coming in at 3-1 and question marks surrounding their perceived strengths which team is going to leave the 'Shoe victorious on Saturday? Will Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes take another step forward or will the Spartans earn their first victory over the Buckeyes in Columbus since that fateful 1998 game?

This matchup is always one that gives me pause. Since my inception, sometime during the 1970s, I have been a Buckeye through and through (and through and through some more). Growing up in the mitten state made my love for the Buckeyes grow, and burn with a hatred for all things associated with my home state - especially that cesspool in _nn _rbor. Of course, at some point in time something would have to give - college. Out of state tuition at OSU was simply going to be too much for this Michigander and the decision was made to attend Michigan State University. I can only sum of the feeling of this matchup like this, it's like watching your two children go head-to-head against each other - the older child who you've seen come up through the years, who has won everything, and has been quite successful, versus the younger sibling, the one you're really proud of, so glad you decided to have, but they don't quite mean the same to you (ok, bad analogy but right idea?).

Don't get me wrong, so let me make this clear, I am a Buckeye first and foremost, with a very soft spot for the Spartans. And with that said ... here we go.

I think these two teams stack up amazingly even. Frighteningly even. I think each teams perceived strengths - Ohio State's defense and Michigan State's offense, haven't lived up to their billing. Both teams have lost on the road, to opponents that fans of both schools believe they should have (or could have) beaten. So, what's it going to take to win this game. I'll say this right now, if this game is a runaway, beat down, then it hasn't been a good day for the men in the scarlet and gray. Thankfully, I don't see it playing out that way.

Kirk Cousins is the steward of the Michigan State offense and everything is going to go through him. Behind him are two very, very good running backs in Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell who can absolutely wear down a defense. Cousins has a couple of solid receivers in BJ Cunningham and Keith Nichols who can both hurt you badly in the passing game although Cunningham is the NFL ready talent who can hurt you more after the catch. Finally, tight ends Dion Sims and Brian Linthicum could lead to migraines for our linebacking crew.

I expect the MSU offense to find moderate success against this Buckeye defense. Missed tackles must be avoided at all costs (duh) and the men up front in the trenches must play on the other side of the line. In MSU's lone loss to Notre Dame, Cousins was under a lot of pressure and the running backs never had a lot of room to create and cause damage. Honestly, if the Buckeyes stand much of a chance, this is the most crucial battle to win because the Buckeye offense, at this point in time, isn't strong enough to play from behind (or even to have to trade scores with a team).

Defensively for the men of Sparta a lot has been lost in the departure of Greg Jones, however, that hasn't allowed the Spartans to miss much of a beat as they are the statistical leader in the Big Ten in defense. Jerel Worthy is one of the best DT in the Big Ten and could be a headache for our offensive line and our running game. William Gholston (yes, he's related to our former Gholston) will line up at both DE and LB throughout the game and is certainly a force to be reckoned with as well. The biggest thing about the Spartan defense that bodes well for them (and not so well for the Buckeyes, conversely) is they do not miss tackles, period.

To win this game the Buckeyes are going to have to exploit the Spartan weaknessess (cliches galore!). Notre Dame was successful because they won the field position game, had amazing special teams play, and forced turnovers. Keeping those things in mind the Buckeyes are going to need great output from:

1) Ben Buchanan. Let's face it, the punt is still the most important play in football and in what could be a windy Ohio Stadium tomorrow, the big leg from our punter needs to be on the ball (pun!) to be successful.

2) Punt coverage. That means hangtime, Ben, in order for the gunners to get downfield and stop any hopes of a big MSU return in the punt game.

3) Defensive line. Get in the backfield. With Nathan Williams out again due to knee surgery, it's going to be up to John Simon and Johnathan Hankins to create havoc. Cousins was under a lot of pressure in the ND game and this led to mistakes.

4) Braxton Miller. Channel your inner Craig Krenzel. You don't have to be other worldly for us to win this game, you just have to manage the game. Be smart, don't make turnovers, and for the love of all that is good, make sure the duck is removed from your arm cannon before tomorrow at 3:30. kthx.

5) The linebackers - Andrew Sweat and Storm Klein. Kirk Cousins will kill you if you can't get into your drops or if you can't get there on the blitz. So do both, please and thanks.

6) Special teams and I am looking at you Jordan Hall because you've been pretty darn special and we need some more of that.

The real question will be ... can the Buckeyes give us all of this tomorrow? Can they propel their confidence even higher heading into a night game in Lincoln? Can Braxton Miller guide this team to victory in what will be his biggest test to date?

Honestly, I don't know. Convetional wisdom says in a game that feels this close you have to go with the senior quarterback and the more experienced head coach. And I'm sorry, I just can't get over those two things.